Author: Editorial
Publication: The Hindu
Date: May 19, 2006
URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/19/stories/2006051903051200.htm
The decision of the Tamil Nadu Government
to allow all qualified persons irrespective of their caste to work as temple
priests is an important victory in the continuing fight against the social
curse that is India's caste system. In keeping with a 2002 Supreme Court ruling
that non-Brahmins (including Dalits, of course) can function as temple priests
if they are "well-versed and properly trained" in temple rituals,
the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government has expressly provided for the appointment
of persons from all communities as archakas. Customs and hereditary rights,
including those dating back several centuries, cannot form the basis for continuing
practices that violate fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution.
Any discrimination in the choice of priests militates against Article 15 of
the Constitution, which guarantees the right of equality to all citizens,
and Article 17, which prohibits untouchability. The 2002 verdict, which the
State Government now cites, clarifies the position in the context of a 1972
judgment of the Supreme Court that held the appointment of archakas not authorised
by the agamas as violative of Article 25, which grants the right to freedom
of religion. According to the 2002 ruling, even if traditionally a Brahmin
alone conducted the pujas, this did not mean a person other than a Brahmin
was prohibited from doing so. This has now provided sufficient ground for
the Government to make another attempt - after the 1970 amendment to the Hindu
Religious and Charitable Endowments Act - to end the discrimination on the
basis of caste.
But if the decision is not to end up as symbolism,
the Government must actively promote the participation of people from different
castes in the rites and ceremonies of the temples administered by the HR and
CE department. Among the 38,000 temples that come under the department, many
traditionally employ non-Brahmin archakas. But most of such temples are in
the low-income category; and there is little incentive for qualified persons
to work there. Traditionally, the recruitment of priests has been left to
the local temple authorities. Without a new mode of selection and placement
of archakas, the order "allowing" people from all castes to serve
as archakas is unlikely to go far enough. Besides, there are several temples
run by hereditary trustees that do not come under the department. It will
be a challenge for the Government to bring about the radical change it envisages
in these temples. It is important to emphasise that an earnest effort to end
caste discrimination in priestly functions must involve a proper training
process for those interested in taking up the profession. Although an informal
system of training in agamas exists in some temples, equality of opportunity
cannot be ensured in the absence of a recognised institute for training archakas.
Clearly, the Government needs to follow up its socially progressive move with
other practical steps.
